December and the holiday season is now upon us. The officers and staff of Local 362 would like to wish all of you a Happy, Healthy and Safe Christmas season, and all the best for a prosperous year ahead.
Dates for the 2005 General Meetings have been posted on the Events page. Be sure to check them out and mark your calendars. One change - Ft McMurray Oilsands Bus meetings start times have moved from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Union Office Hours for the holiday season are as follows:
December 23 - 8:30 a.m. to Noon
December 24 to December 27 - CLOSED
December 28 & 29 - regular hours
December 30 - 8:30 a.m. to Noon
December 31 - January 2 - CLOSED
January 3 - regular hours
NEGOTIATIONS - Brothers Wallace and Pearce are currently in negotiations with Securicor Cash Services for a new agreement. They are meeting with the Company in Calgary Dec 1 & 2. Watch for a notice on your bulletin board to update you on their progress.
Brothers Porter and Finley are currently working on both the CFL and Byers Transport agreements. Meetings are scheduled through February on those two groups.
Brother Porter also has a vote being conducted for Monarch Dempsey employees. Ballots are to be in by Friday December 3rd and will be counted then.
Movie members are reminded of the Annual Movie Meeting to be held at the Carriage House Inn (Calgary) on December 19. Information packages were mailed to all movie board members. If you haven't received yours, please contact the Calgary office for a replacement. Currently, members are working on only one production - Into the West. We are looking forward to the industry picking up in the Spring. Right now, the strength of the Canadian dollar doesn't make it so financially attractive to American producers, however we do have the greatest scenery anywhere, bar none.
Brothers Finley & Kemp are currently in negotiations with the assistance of a conciliation officer to attempt to prevent a strike at Aeroguard Inc. Edmonton International Airport over the Christmas holidays. Aeroguard are the pre-board screeners, and most were former employees of Group 4.
UPS members took place in a short strike in late November. The Company has come forward with another offer which is being voted. Results will be posted for UPS members' information.
As you can see , Business Agents have had a very busy, and often difficult, fall season.
The semi will be used again this year to transport toys from the Gifts for Kids project at Market Mall in Calgary. This is an undertaking of the United Way of Calgary to provide new toys for needy children in Calgary, and is the third year that we have taken the toys from the collection site to the distribution site. Any member who would be available and would like to help with this event ( Monday, December 13/04 starting at 8:00 a.m.) please contact either Brother Al Porter or Brother Lance Wallace (259-4608) to confirm. We usually need about 20 - 25 volunteers to move the toys from the centre of the mall to the loading dock, and to place them properly in the trailer, then go to the warehouse and unload them. It takes about 4 - 5 hours to complete it, but if you could work at either end for a few hours we would sure appreciate the help.
Wishing you the best of the season, bye for now.